SMORGASBORD: More than a vinaigrette . . . Mailing magnolias . . . Pie perfection, etc.

More than a vinaigrette

There are vinaigrettes, and there is the richly flavored Woodford Reserve Bourbon Sorghum Vinaigrette.

A chef at the Kentucky distillery created the slightly sweet (thanks to that molasses-like sorghum) and tangy blend, that gets a bit of a kick from Tabasco and paprika. It works well with salads, of course, but we liked it brushed on chicken before grilling.

An 8.4 fluid ounce bottle is $10 at bourbonbarrelfoods.com.

Mailing magnolias

To sink your teeth into the buttercream frosting of a Magnolia Bakery cupcake, perhaps a classic chocolate or a specialty such as red velvet, you don’t need to make a pilgrimage to New York (or Los Angeles or Dubai or Chicago).

The bakery is now shipping its cupcakes (frozen) nationwide. Prices start at $18 for six classic cupcakes in a box or $30 when packed in a tin. Specialty cupcakes start at $21 for six in a box ($33 in a tin).

To order, go to magnoliabakery.com.

Pie perfection

A fresh berry pie graces the cover of “Perfect Pies” by Michele Stuart, Connecticut’s award-winning pie wizard.

It’s a tempting introduction to the goodies packed in this little volume. Crust-making tips, toppings, fillings — plus a chapter on savory pies (including a lobster potpie) — make this a fine choice for pie novices, as well as bakers seeking inspiration and a few new recipes, whether it’s a chocolate-pecan-bourbon or a maple-oatmeal-raisin pies.

It’s $25 at amazon.com.

Taming the heat

What’s the most common way to tame the heat of chili peppers?

It’s to remove both the seeds and the ribs, the white-ish ridges inside the pepper, which would make most chili purists shudder.

Another option is to soak the peppers in a little hot water before cooking. Finally, it will help quench the fire if you serve the chilis with a dairy product, such as a sour cream-based dip.

Whatever you do, wear gloves while you handle the peppers or wash your hands very well afterward. A single touch to the eyes, mouth or nose could get fiery.

Aerated chocolates

The Hershey Co. has introduced Hersheys’ Air Delight Chocolate in both 9.4-ounce bags of Kisses and 1.44-ounce bars. The aerated milk chocolate has a light texture, causing the chocolate to melt easily in your mouth resulting in a smooth and creamy consistency. A serving of 11 Air Delight Kisses contains 200 calories and 12 grams fat, the same as one bar.

Suggested retail is 89 cents per bar and $3.69 per Kisses bag in supermarkets and other stores. It’s available online at www.hersheys.com.

Tags: life, updates, food, smorgasbord